Defoe Completes Toronto Move

Ian Walton/Getty ImagesDefoe will soon be saying farewell to Tottenham.

Friday January 10

Tottenham announced on their official website on Friday that they had "reached agreement with Toronto FC for the transfer of Jermain Defoe to the MLS side, with effect from February 28, 2014."

It will bring to an end the second of two spells in North London for the England striker, over which time he moved into fifth in the club's all-time top scorers list.

Defoe said the following about his leaving Spurs and joining Toronto:

Everybody knows how much this Club means to me and I will play my heart out for the team and the fans until my last kick for the Club. I have had a fantastic time here and the fans have always been amazing to me.

I am grateful for the opportunity for myself and my family to experience living overseas and for me to play in the MLS with a contract that will take me to the age of 35. I have no doubt I shall be coming back as a fan supporting the team in the years to come too.

Spurs manager Tim Sherwood added:

This is a great opportunity for Jermain and he feels it is one that he wishes to pursue. He has played a big part in the Club for many years and we all know he will give his best until his last minute in a Spurs shirt.

Defoe could play his last game for Tottenham and at White Hart Lane against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the Europa League on February 27.

Part of the deal will see Toronto host Spurs as part of the latter's North American tour next summer whilst the two clubs have also engaged on a Advertising Rights Agreement.

Toronto Transfer Close to Completion for Defoe?

After weeks of speculation, the Daily Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson is among those reporting that Jermain Defoe "is on the brink of joining Toronto FC in Major League Soccer, with the Canadian club hoping to formally unveil the England striker as early as Monday."

Wilson, and others like the The Guardian's Dominic Fifield agree that the Tottenham forward will cost the MLS club £6 million, and will earn £90,000 a week wages. A key part of the deal could see the player loaned back to the North London side until March.

The Telegraph report believes that Defoe has discussed the move with England manager Roy Hodgson, and has been encouraged that regular football in North America would do his World Cup selection chances good.

Toronto are promoting on their official website what they describe as "a bloody big deal" to be announced on January 13, with an accompanying video already up on YouTube. That particular English slang would suggest it could indeed be the much-mooted move for Defoe.

Defoe Nears Fitness as Spurs Future Remains Uncertain

Ian Walton/Getty ImagesJermain Defoe is back in training for Tottenham after a brief injury.

Monday January 6

After a hamstring injury saw Jermain Defoe miss the latter part of the Christmas fixture list, manager Tim Sherwood confirmed to Tottenham's official website on Friday that the player had returned to training.

Speaking in reference to Defoe and Andros Townsend, Sherwood was quoted by London24 on why the striker was not ready for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Arsenal.

"They (Defoe and Townsend) need more training sessions. Hopefully it will be a week or so."

With speculation still swirling around the player's future with Spurs, his potential involvement will be worth keeping an eye on.